Small Groups for ages 3 years - Elementary School meet on Sundays from 9:30-10:30 (Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day).

Preschool/Kindergarten* students meet in Room 203, where their classroom leaders will guide them in a Bible story, age-appropriate activities and/or crafts, and free play time. 

Elementary students* head to Room 210 (the gathering room) for a Bible story (typically through video), snack, and a variety of games and activities that connect back to the story for the week.  

*SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN: 

Families of kindergarten students may choose between our early childhood small group or our early elementary small group. The preschool room includes developmentally appropriate lessons for younger children and free play time - perfect for students with lots of energy and creativity. The elementary room will be more structured, with fun games and crafts to reinforce the Bible story.

*SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT 6TH GRADE: 

We recognize that 6th grade is middle school in some districts and elementary school in others. Kids in this age group are invited to choose when they are ready to move up to youth group. During 6th grade, they are welcome to participate in elementary programming, youth programming, or a combination of the two. 

Worship Together Sundays are an important part of our programming. It is important for kids to experience worship and to see their grown ups in worship. On Worship Together Sundays, childcare is still available for our youngest disciples from 9:20-noon, but children's programs do not meet. 

2025-26 Worship Together Sundays include: August 31 (Labor Day weekend), November 30 (Thanksgiving weekend), December 28 (church is online only), January 4, April 5 (Easter Sunday), and May 24 (Memorial Day weekend).

Students in elementary school are invited to join Children's Chapel during 11:00 worship (meets Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day).

Check-in outside the education wing upon arrival at Countryside. Once checked in, elementary students head to the sanctuary to participate in opening worship. Students may sit with their family/adults or sit in pews with Countryside Kids Crew Leaders. Experiencing worship with a grown up is important for this age group, so Children's Chapel is structured to allow kids time in worship along with some time with a developmentally appropriate Bible story and fellowship time. 

After the children's message, all students will leave and head out for Children's Chapel in Room 209. During chapel time, students will follow a monthly theme where we engage in a Bible story through a variety of activities and crafts. The 11:00 chapel uses the same Bible story as 9:30, but offers different games and activities. Parents and guardians should plan to pick students up from this room at noon.

Worship Together Sundays are an important part of our programming. It is important for kids to experience worship and to see their grown ups in worship. On Worship Together Sundays, childcare is still available for our youngest disciples from 9:20-noon, but children's programs do not meet. 

2024-25 Worship Together Sundays include: September 1 (Labor Day weekend), December 1 (Thanksgiving weekend), December 29 (church is online only), January 5, April 20 (Easter Sunday), and May 24 (Memorial Day weekend).

Wednesdays for Kids, our mid-week programming, is available from 6-7:30pm for students in 1st-5th grade most weeks beginning after Labor Day and running through April. (See exceptions below.)

Visit the check-in station, then head to our big gathering area (Room 210) in the upper level of the education wing (doors open at 6:20). At Wednesdays for Kids, we keep the kids moving with worship and camp-style group games from 6-6:10, followed by rotations of bells, worship, and Bible story from 6:10 -7:10. We will wrap up the evening with rotating activities (such as Lego building, games, crafts, and mission projects) in the Gathering Room (Room 210). Parents/guardians can pick their student up at 7:30pm. 

If you have not completed a registration form for this year, please complete one prior to attending your first Wednesdays for Kids or Sunday Small Group.

Register for Countryside Kids HERE

Meeting dates for First Semester 2025: September 3, 10, 17, 24 and October 1, 8, 15, 22

Join us for "Open Table Worship" in the Celebration Center: November 5, 12, 19 (6-7:15pm) (kids must have a grown up attend)

Special Christmas Events: Advent Workshop on December 3 and Christmas Caroling on December 10 (6-7:30) (kids must have a grown up present)

Meeting dates for Second Semester 2026: January 21, 28; February 4, 11, 25; March 4, 11, 25; April 8, 15, 22, 29

Family Advent Worship on February 18 at 6pm.

Pizza Party on April 29 from 6-7:30pm.

Countryside United Methodist Church offers Child Care for our youngest disciples, children ages 6 weeks through 5 years old/Kindergarten. These services are provided on Sunday mornings from 9:35-noon and for some weeknight activities when arranged/requested by group leaders. Care is provided by our trained and certified staff who want to share God's love to the highest degree as they care for your children in a safe, warm, welcoming environment.

WHAT TO EXPECT: When bringing your children to childcare, please stop first at our Children's Check-In Area just outside the education wing. If you are visiting for the first time, be sure to check in with a phone number that will be accessible, as our staff will use your check-in for contact information should they need to reach you.

Once checked in, take your child to Room 116 where our childcare staff will be ready to welcome you. Please make sure any diaper bags or essential items your child needs are labeled. Please keep your phones on vibrate so that our staff can reach you if necessary. When worship or Sunday School concludes, pick up your child from Room 116. 

CHILDCARE OUTSIDE OF SUNDAY MORNINGS: If not already provided during your group's meeting time, please request child care by submitting this form. Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting or event.

PLEASE NOTE: This form is only for Countryside UMC Church events. Visit the Countryside Child Development Center for inquiries and further information about weekday childcare and preschool opportunities.

For adults who want to worship with their children, a variety of tools are available to assist children and their grown ups with the worship experience. Children are able to create their own worship bag to use in the sanctuary with coloring pages, toys and books to look at during worship. Also available at this station are noise-reducing headphones for kids sensitive to loud music.  Special worship bulletins that tie into the day’s sermon are also available for students in preschool-6th grade. A special children's message video is also shared toward the beginning of each worship service.

We also offer a special Family Worship Room along the main sanctuary hall. This room streams the worship service and offers rocking chairs and comfortable seating for parents, along with toys, books and a small slide for children who need to move during worship. Additionally, our fellowship area includes a coffee bar with a variety of options (including hot cocoa) and another seating area where the 9:30 and 11am services are streamed.

Changing tables are available in restrooms throughout the facility, including both the men's and women's restrooms outside the sanctuary.

JUNE.  Summer Sunday Small Group for ages 3 years through kindergarten meets from 9:45-10:45 in Room 204 in the education wing. Children's Chapel for students in elementary school meets during the 9:45 and 11:00 worship services. Students start in worship with their grown ups, then head to Room 210 following the children's message for a kid-friendly Bible story, snack, and ativities. Summer Small Groups meet during the month of June (except for VBC Sunday) and the last 2 weeks in August.

JULY & EARLY AUGUST. During the month of July and the first two Sundays in August, elementary children are encouraged to experience worship with their grown-ups. Experiencing worship together is an important part of faith development, and summer gives us a great opportunity for family worship. Preschool and kindergarten students are welcome to join the fun in our childcare room if they are not ready to sit in worship and need some space to wiggle and play!

AUGUST 18, 2025. All kids are invited to a back to school celebration following the children's message during the 9:45 and 11:00 worship. We might hear a short devotion, but we will mainly have snacks and play games together today!

AUGUST 24, 2025. Join us for Sunday Funday! Everyone is in worship at 10am and kids are invited to bring their backpacks to worship for a special Blessing of the Backpacks during the Children's Message. Immediately after worship, head to the Celebration Center for hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and games at our ministry Fun Fair!

Childcare is available for ages 0-5 years from 9:35-noon on regular worship Sundays in Room 116 of the education wing. In our childcare room, children have the opportunity to play and explore under the supervision of our church childcare attendants.

Childcare meets year round with a few exceptions or adjusted hours around Sundays with different worship schedules.

Students 3 years through entering 6th grade are invited to join the fun at Vacation Bible Camp, June 23-27 from 9am-noon. Kids spend the morning in age-based groups, starting with large group Bible story and worship in the sanctuary, then rotating through stations including music, crafts, science experiments, snacks, and games/recreation. Learn more.